Here’s a fun activity to try with your child that promotes critical thinking and school readiness. This idea can be adapted for any age from preschool through grade school and beyond. Best of all, no supplies are needed!
August is here, and soon (if not already), children will begin to head back to school. Whether it is preschool a couple of mornings a week, a traditional grade-school program, college or even homeschooling, establishing a routine can make the next day run so much smoother. The key to the entire process, though, is to start NOW, not the night before.
When kids hear the word “summer”, their heads are filled with visions of swimming, trips, lazy mornings in jammies and playtime - all the time. The last thing on their minds is anything school-related. But, summertime can be a great time to keep up those academic skills as well. And, all it takes is fifteen minutes.
Our last day of school is quickly approaching here, and my 2nd grader is definitely in tune to that. Each day, he tells us how many more school days he has left, and then he proceeds to name all the fun things he’s going to do over the summer, from sleepovers to trips to the grandparents’ house to swimming and playing with the neighbors. He also knows that many of the things he does in school now will be carried over to the summer.
Jenna* is a child in my pre-k class. She is your typical just-turned-5-year-old - curious, sweet, full of energy. Jenna comes from a strong family unit with a brother who probably tests off the IQ scale, a dad who is a high school math teacher, and a mom who is a nurse. Jenna is in crisis.
